Machine for packing a predetermined weight of bulk product



Feb. 16, 1954 E. H. CARRUTHERS MACHINE FOR PACKING A PREDETERMINED WEIGHT OF BULK PRODUCT Filed Oct. 13, 1949 6 Sheets-Sheet l IN V EN TOR.

EBEN h. CARRUTHERS Feb. 16, 1954 E. H. CARRUTHERS MACHINE FOR PACKING A PREDETERMINED WEIGHT OF BULK PRODUCT 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 13, 1949 INVENTOR.

[BE/V fl. CARRUTHERS 1954 E. H. CARRUTHERS MACHINE FOR PACKING A PREDETERMINED WEIGHT OF BULK PRODUCT 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 13, 1949 MNOE wt m m K W, W 0 U a m M V m m m H In l N I E l H Z 7 u W lllll. B km m 3m QQN Feb. 16, 1954 E. H. CARRUTHERS 2,669,378

MACHINE FOR PACKING A PREDETERMINED WEIGHT OF BULK PRODUCT Filed Oct. 15, 1949 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fl 6 I 0 55 H. cmpumms )21 w l0ffit/(K Feb. 16, 1954 E. H. CARRUTHERS ,669,378

MACHINE FOR PACKING A PREDETERMINED WEIGHT OF BULK PRODUCT Filed Oct. 13, 1949 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

EEE/V H CARRUTHERS Q BY Feb. 16, 1954 Filed Oct. 13, 1949 E. H. CARRUTHERS 2,669,378 MACHINE FOR PACKING A PREDETERMINED WEIGHT OF BULK PRODUCT 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 25 7 /9 4\ 33 zsa 797 237 235 259 Fl 6. I 5

IN V EN T OR.

[BE/V H CARPUTHEPS BY k )/u rilw7(/Arwm Patented Feb. 16, 1954 MACHINE FOR PACKING A PREDETERMINED WEIGHT OF BULK PRODUCT Eben H. Carruthers, Warrenton, Oreg. Application October 13, 1949,. SerialNo.'121,172

My invention relates to a machine. for packing a predetermined weight of bulk products and is a continuation in part of my co-pending application Serial No. 20,894, filed. April? 14,1948, now Patent No. 2,601,093, entitled Method. and Machine. for Packing a Predetermined Weight of Bulk Products.

While the machine of my invention has. been particularly designed for the packing of tuna, it has other. uses.- It. may be employed in the packing of other species of. fish and it may be adaptable to the packing of other bulk food products, for example, sauerkraut or spinach. It further may be adapted to the packing of 'meat products which are packed in bulk andmay have uses in connection with the packing of non-food products which are of a pliable or deformable character.

The invention of' the present application discloses improvements on the machine shown in the above mentioned application. Reference is also made to my co-pending application Serial No. 689,146, filed Augusti8 1946,.now Patent No. 2,575,703, and entitled. Method and Apparatus for Packing Products.

An object of my invention is to provide an improved machine for packing a predetermined weight of tuna. or other bulk product in a container to the end of accomplishing increased production and a saving. inlabor costs.

Another object of my invention is to providean improved cut-ofi mechanism for the tuna or other bulk. product to secure a cleaner cut of the tuna and a out which. is more attractive when the can of tuna is opened.

Another object of my invention is to provide a machine wherein after the chunk or section of tuna has been out from the formed cylinder of tuna and placed in. the can, a tamper is provided to insure that the cut section of tuna is at the bottom of the can;

My invention further contemplates improve.- ments in the mechanism of my above mentioned copending application whereby a better product is obtained; more accurate. control of weight is secured; the parts are renderedmore accessible for adjustment or repair; and the cost of production of the machine is reduced.

Other objects and. advantages of the machine of my invention will beset forth in the claims and will be apparent from the following description, when taken in. connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is aside elevation of the machine of my invention with parts being shown. in dotted lines better to illustrate-the invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof with parts being shown in dotted lines;

34' Claims. (Cl; 2 26'--97) Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the drivingmechanism showing the variable speed and power transmission housings;

Fig. 4 is a view partially in section taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1 and showing the flexing mechanism for the forming chains;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the mechanism for flexing the forming chains;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion of Fig. 2 showing the discharge end of the forming chains and partly illustrating the manner in which the tuna is cut off and transferredfrom the forming chains to the cans;

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view of the discharge end of the forming and molding section of the machine illustrating the forming chains or links and showing how the tuna is cut off after being formed and molded;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing two of the molding and forming links of the molding and forming chain;

Fig. 9 is a top plan view of the housing which encloses the operating mechanism for the can turret, the cut-oii knives and tamper with the top wall of the housing partly removed to show the interior thereof;

Fig. 10 is. a front elevation of the housing of Fig. 9 showing the cut-oii knives and tamper and illustrating the accessibility of the parts for adjustment and repair when the housing is shifted to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 11 is a view partly in section showing the cut-01f knife in solid lines in cut-off position and in dotted lines its position when partly retracted;

Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line li -l2 of Fig. 9 in the direction indicated by the arrows showing in particular the can chute, can turret and with parts broken away better to illustrate the invention;

Fig. 13 is a. perspective View showing a part of the mechanism for operating the lower knife;

Fig. 14 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line #44 of Fig. 10-in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 15 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line I 5-i5 of Fig. 14 in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 16 is a View taken substantially onthe line l6-l6 of Fig. 10 in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 17 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line l'l-ll of F g. 10 in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Figs. 18 to 23 inclusive are a series oi successive views illustrating how a slice or section l 3 of tuna is cut off, transferred to the can, and then tamped in position; and

Fig. 24 is an enlarged view of a portion of Fig. 2 showing the adjustment slots for the fixed shoes.

As previously mentioned, the machine of my invention has been particularly designed for the packing of a predetermined weight of tuna in each of successive cans or other containers. However, the machine of my invention may be adapted to the packing of other materials in bulk such as various kinds of fish, meat and certain types of vegetables, for example, sauerkraut and spinach. Moreover, the machine of my invention may be adapted to the packing of non-food products particularly those which are of a bulky, pliable character.

As shown most clearly in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the machine of my invention comprises an upper bed ii and a lower bed l2 which are supported in spaced relation by legs I3. The lower bed l2 (Fig. 3) supports a motor [4, a variable speed drive 16 and a power transmission case IT. The motor la through a belt 18 and pulley I9 drives a pulley 2 i. The pulley 2! is mounted on a shaft 22 (Fig. 3) which is suitably journaled in bearings 23 mounted on the lower bed l2. secured to the shaft 22 is a sprocket 24 which drives a chain 26 which passes over a sprocket 27 mounted on a shaft 28.

Theshaft 28 enters the variable speed drive housing It. Since variable speed drives are well known in the power transmission art, it is believed unnecessary to describe such mechanism. Through the variable speed drive 16, a shaft 29 is driven at a variable speed which may be adjusted by means of the hand wheel 3i. Thus all the mechanism driven from the shaft 29 may be varied in speed simultaneously by adjusting the hand wheel 3|.

On the extended end of the shaft 29 a sprocket 32 is mounted which drives a chain 33 which in turn drives a sprocket 34 mounted on the extended end of a shaft 36. The shaft 36 extends into the power transmission housing ll wherein there is located suitable gearing, not necessary to be shown and described, for securing the desired speeds for various operating elements of the machine as will presently appear.

A pair of shafts 31 extend upwardly from the power transmission housing I? and have sprockets 36 rigidly mounted on the upper extended ends thereof. chains 39 which in turn drive sprockets 4!. The sprockets fill are rigid with shafts 42 which have sprockets d3 (Fig. 2) mounted on the upper ends thereof. The sprockets 43 are the driving elements for a pair of feeding and forming chains M and 36 which feed, form and mold the material to be packed as presently described. The sprockets 38 and 4! driven from the power transmission case for driving the chain drive sprockets A3 are the same in size and number of teeth for each sprocket 43. Hence the lineal speed of the forming and feeding chains is the same.

As shown most clearly in Figs. 6, 7 and 8, the forming or molding chains 44 and 46 are made up of a series of molding elements or links 41, each of which has a concave molding face preferably formed substantially on the arc of a circle, as shown at 48. As shown most clearly in Figs. 6 and 8, each molding element has a convexly curved forward edge as indicated at 49, and a concavely curved rearward edge as indicated at Rigidly- The sprockets 33 drive 4 5!. This arrangement enables the molding chains to be flexed in a direction transverse to their direction of movement with adjacent molding elements shifting angularly with respect to each other while still maintaining a substantially closed space between adjacent molding elements or links. Thus, when the chains are flexed as will be presently described and one molding link rotates angularly with respect to its adjacent link, the curvature of the following edge of one link may rotate with respect to the leading edge of the adjacent link without interference between the two links while still maintaining a relatively close fitting joint between the adjacent links. Moreover, the arrangement permits the molding chains to pass smoothly around the sprockets without excessive intervening spaces.

As shown most clearly in Figs. 7 and 8, the rearward face of each of the molding elements or links 4'! has a boss 52 on its rearward side through which a pivot pin or pintle 53 extends. Links 54 connect the pivot pins of adjacent molding elements 41, the links 54 being freely rotatable with respect to the pivot pins 53 to allow the above described angular movement of adjacent molding elements with respect of each other as they pass around the sprockets and the flexing of the chains as a whole in the manner presently to be described. The edges 55 of the molding links are machined smooth so that they may slide with respect to associated parts as presently described.

The forming or molding chains 44 and 46 pass over idler sprockets 56 which freely rotate on shafts 5? supported by pedestals 55 (Fig. 1) extending from the upper bed H of the machine. As shown most clearly in Fig. 6, the sprockets 43 and 56 have special semicircularly shaped driving teeth 51 which are adapted to receive the semi-cylindrically shaped bosses 52 on the rear faces of the molding elements or links 41.

Mounted on the upper bed of the machine is a pair of pedestals 6i (Figs. 1 and 2) which carry arms upon which a shaft 63 is mounted. The shafts 63 have freely mounted thereon flanged rollers 64 upon which the chains ride. Suitable means are provided for adjusting the position of the rollers so as to maintain the forming and molding chains 44?. and 46 taut. On a pedestal 66 is a shaft 61 upon which an idler pulley 68 is freely rotatable. Carried by side plates 69 supported from the upper bed I! is a shaft H which has a pulley i2 rigidly secured thereto. A second pulley I3 is rigidly mounted on a shaft 34 also carried by the side plates 69. A feed belt 16 extends over the three pulleys 68, "i2 and 13 as indicated in the drawings.

In the machine of the above mentioned copending application, I have described the feed belt as being marked with equally spaced markings as a guide to enable the operator to place the whole loins of fish on the belt in an approximation of uniform weight per unit of belt length. However, I have found this is unnecessary and that an operator soon becomes sufficiently proficient and experienced as to enable her to place the loins in overlapping relation on the belt in an approximation of uniform weight per unit of length of the belt. In Fig. 2 I have indicated roughly the manner in which the loins are placed on the belt in overlapping relation with the long axis of the fish extending lengthwise of the belt. The fish indicated are a relatively small variety of tuna but the same principle applies with larger fish, The fish thus form a continuous unbroken line of loins with the loins aeeegarzs being as evenly distributedv along the belt as" it is possible to do by eye. Although theloins are spread along the feed belt as evenly as. possible, considering small increments of the length of the belt, a difference between. the weight of loins onone small section of the belt from that on an adjacent similar small section of. the beltexists. The machine, particularly the action of. the forming and molding chains as will be presently described, smooths out these differences in weight load so as to gradually form the fish. into a cylinder of tuna which is of substantially con.- stant weight per unit of=1ength. In Fig. 2 I have illustrated approximately how the: loins appear when placed on the belt by the operator who feeds the machine.

.A pair of. side stands. '51. extend upwardfrom side plates 69 and have journaled therein a shaft I8. which carries a pulley l9. Extending forward from theshaft. I8. is a pair of. side rails 8! which carry a shaft 82 adjustably supported therein as indicated at 83; An idler pulley 84 is loosely mounted on the shaft 82 over whichpasses a belt 86 which also passes over the pulley 19. Secured to the side rails 8!, as indicated at 8'7, is a pair of brackets which depend therefrom and support a shoe 88 upon which the: belt rides. The shoe has an'upturnedforward end 90 so that in cooperation with the arrangement. of the chains (Fig. 2) presents a relatively wide open mouth at the entrance end of what may be termed a forming tunnel, for the reception of the loins of tuna.

As-indicatedin the drawings, the forward end of the beltassembly above described is supported by the side rails and may be pivoted around. the axis of the shaft I8 so as to swing upward, as indicated in dotted lines. Thisarrangement en.- ables convenient access to the forward end of the forming and molding chains or. entrance end of the tunnel so that in case there isa jamming of. fish at the entrance end of themoving tunnel, access to the forming and molding chains may be had for the purpose of removing or rearranging the fish which may be jammed;

Mounted rigidly on each of the shafts. II, I4 and "I8 is a sprocket 9I. Depending from the upper bed of themachine is a support bracket 92 whichhas suitably journaledi therein. a shaft 93 which carries a sprocket 94. As shown. in the drawings, a chain 96 passes over the three sprockets Ell. and the sprocket 94 so: as to drive the belts I6 and 86. Since the sprockets 9| are all of the same diameter and number of; teeth and the belt rollers are all of the same diameter and driven from acommon sprocket 94, the lineal speed of the belts l6 and 86 is the same.

A second sprocket 98 is mounted on the shaft 93 (Fig. 3) which is driven by a chain 99. The other end of the chain passes over a sprocket I03 mounted on a drive shaft I94 extending sidewardly outward from the transmission case I1.

The sizes of the sprockets 38 and 4! are chosen so that the forming and molding chains move at the same lineal speed as the feed belt I6 and the belt 86. At the terminus of the belts I6 and 86, at the left as viewed in Fig. 1, a pair of plates IOI and I02 form the lower and upper walls of the tunnel as shown most clearly in Fig. 4. The forward ends of the plates IUI and I92 are beveled, as indicated in the drawings, so that the tuna will smoothly pass from between the belts I6 and 8G to a position between the plates IBI and IE2 as the forming and molding chainscontinuously" feed the tuna toward-scan" filling: position orstation presently to be described.

The lower plate IOI is supported by. pedestals I06 carried bythe upper bed H of the machine. The lower plate HJ'I forms a slidesupport for the lower side edges 55 of the forming chains. Three sets of fixed shoes or backing plates Illc'I (Figs. 1 and 2) extend between the upper and lower plates IN: and I02. These-fixed shoes are provided withbosses Hi5 through which passbolts I08; The bolts extendbetween and through the upper and. lower plates: and are. adapted toreceive nuts by which the fixed shoes may be placed in adesired position of adjustment. The backing plates Ill'I aresomewhat curved; as indicated in the drawings, the" bolts passing through slots I09 (Fig. 24-) formed in the upper and lower plates so. that the transverse gap between the fixed shoes can be adjusted within th limits of the lengths of the slots; The upper plate is supported by the fixed shoes, the upper side edges 55 of the forming chains sliding on the under side of the upper plate.

In setting up the machine for use, the fixed shoes at the left of the machine, asviewed in: Fig. 2, are adjusted so that the transverse gap between them is the correct amount to bring the formingchains to the proper spacing for reducing the cross-sectional: area of the cylinder of tuna to an area less than the diameter of the can. The gap between the center two of the fixed shoes is made somewhat greater than the gap between the two fixed shoes at the left of the machine. The third fixed shoes at the right" of Fig. 2 are adjusted so that thegap betweenthem is somewhat greaterthan that of the centertwo of the fixed shoes; Thus the cross-sectional area of the forming and molding tunnel defined by the molding and forming chains and the upper and. lower plates IJOI and I02 is gradually decreased from the entrance end for. the tuna; as indicated in Fig. 2 toward the discharge end or container filling position or station. The continuous' substantially cylindrical roll oftuna is gradually decreased in cross-sectional area until the cylinder. has, been molded: and-shaped to the size desirediforreception in the can or other-container. Since. the. crossrsectional area of the cylinder of tuna is gradually reduced to adiameter-just slightly lessthan the diameter." of the can; or other'container, the. cut-off pieces or. sections of tuna may easily be transferred in suc cession to the cans as will presently appear.

It will be notedfrom Fig. 4.- that a crossesection of forming and molding chains and the plates Illl and H12: do not form atrue circle. Adjacent the can filling position, however, the chains are closer together than shown in Fig. 4 so that for practical purposes the forming and molding tunnel shapes the tuna into a cylinder which is of substantially the same shape as the shape of the can. If desired, the machine may be employed for filling rectangular or other shaped containers by properly shaping the forming or molding chains to conform substantially to-the shape of the containers to be packed.

Carried by the upper bed II (Fig. 1 is a support bracket II I which has a pair of arms H2 in which are formed ways (see also Fig. 4-). The ways are adaptedto'receive a slide bar I I3 which carries upstanding members H4 at each end thereof. Caps H6 holdthe slide bar I I3 in position. The upstanding members II4 carry arms I.II upon the ends of which movable shoes or backing plates I I8 are provided.

A hearing II9 extends through the upper bed supports a vertical shaft I20 (Figs. 4 and The shaft I20 is adapted to receive at its upper end an eccentric I2I having an eccentric pin I22 which forms part of a scotch yoke assembly. The eccentric pin I22 is freely rotatable with respect to a block I23 which is adapted to slide between guide bars I24. As the shaft I2!) is rotated, the eccentric pin I22 moves eccentrically with respect to it to shift the slide bar II3 transversely of the machine, the slide bar I I3 being fixed with respect to the guide bars I24.

As shown most clearl in Figs. 1 and 2, two pairs of movable shoes II8 are provided which are mounted longitudinally on opposite sides of thecenter pair of fixed shoes. The shafts I20 for driving them extend below the upper bed II and are provided at their lower ends with sprockets I26 for the reception of a chain I21. The shaft I20 at the left of Fig. l carries a second sprocket I28 over which passes a chain I29 which is driven by a sprocket I3I mounted on a shaft I32 (Fig. 3) extending upward from the transmission case I1.

It will now be appreciated that by adjusting the eccentrics I2I so that the eccentric pins I22 thereof are out of time with respect to each other, that is, one of the eccentric pins is advanced 180 degrees with respect to the other as shown in Fig. 1, one pair of movable shoes will be moving in one direction transversely of the machine while the other is moving in' the opposite direction. Thus the shoes may be adjusted and timed so as to give the forming chains a wavelike or serpentine motion. The purpose of imparting this action to the forming and molding chains is so that as the loins of tuna are fed through the machine by the conveying action of the forming and molding chains, the loins are bent and flexed during their passage through the forming space or moving tunnel provided by the forming and molding chains and the upper and lower plates WI and I62. Thus the roll of tuna is continuously flexed and kneaded during its passage so as to gradually form and shape the roll into substantially a cylinder of tuna of substantially constant weight per unit of length as will more fully later appear.

At the discharge end of the forming and molding chains and adjacent the container filling sta- 65 tion, as shown most clearly in Fig. 6, a discharge throat I36 is provided. The discharge throat comprises an annular ring supported as indicated at I31 (Fig. 7) by the upper and lower plates I52 and IBI. The discharge throat I36 has two inwardly extending chute or shovel shaped portions I38 which are shaped in cross-section substantially to conform substantially to the curvature of the inner surfaces of the forming and. molding links. The forward ends of the chute portions I38 of the discharge throat are shaped, as in dica'ted at I38, so as to freely receive the cylinder of tuna as it is fed towards the container filling position.

It will be particularly noted (Fig. 6) that the discharge throat is slightly larger in internal diameter than the smallest transverse distance between the forming chains so that the cylinder of tuna fed into the discharge throat is somewhat smaller in diameter than the diameter of the discharge throat I36. In actual practice, the tuna is molded into a cylinder of sufficient rigidity that it is self-supporting and will extend into The effort is made to V the discharge throat and be substantially free of the side walls thereof.

8 avoid any extrusion of the tuna as any attempt to extrude the material tends to break down the flake structure and under certain conditions of pressure, will cause the tuna to break up into a fibrous mass which is an extremely undesirable product.

Mounted rigidly on the shaft 22 (Fig. 3) is a sprocket I' l! which drives a chain I42 which in turn drives a sprocket I43 rigidly secured to a shaft I44. The shaft I44 extends into a tubular enclosure or post I46 supported from the main frame of the machine as indicated at I41. The tubular post I46 extends upward, as indicated in Fig. 10, and is adapted to receive at the top thereof an apertured plate I48 the upper surface of which is machined and adapted to receive the bottom machined surface I49 of a housing, generally indicated by the numeral I5I. The housing is provided with a bore I52.

The other end of the shaft I44 (Fig. 3) carries a bevel gear I53 which'meshes with a bevel gear IE l rigidly secured to a shaft I56. The shaft I56 extends upward through the cylindrical post I46 and at its upper end is provided with a bearing I5'I which seats on the plate I48 and a bevel gear I58 rigidly secured to the shaft I56.

The bevel gear I53 (Fig. 9) meshes with a bevel gear I59 rigidly secured to a shaft IBI suitably journaled in the housing, as indicated at I62. The shaft IBI extends horizontally across the housing and has rigidly mounted thereon a spur drive gear W3.

It will now be appreciated that whenever the motor I4 is operating the shaft 22 is driven and the spur drive gear I63 is driven at constant speed. If it is desired to change the speed at which the drive gear IE3 is rotated, sprockets I4I or' I743 or both may be changed to sprockets of a different diameter and number of teeth. However, if it is desired to change the speed of all the mechanism the belt I8 and pulleys I9 may be changed. All of the mechanism mounted within the housing or carried thereby is adapted to be driven from the driving spur gear I63. The shaft I6I extends outward through a boss formed integral with the housing and the extended end thereof is provided with a hand wheel I64 by which the mechanism within and carried by the housing may be actuated independently of the above described drive mechanism upon manual rotation of the hand wheel I64.

The spur gear IE3 drives a large gear I66 rigidly secured to a shaft I61 (Fig. 14). is provided with suitable bearings which may be of the ball type, as indicated at I68. The bearings are supported in bearing caps I69 mounted in bores formed'in the housing.

The large gear I66 carries pin I1I on one face thereof adjacent its periphery (Figs. 9, 12 and 14). The pin I1I is adapted to cooperate with a Geneva motion element I12 rigidly secured to a shaft I13 (Figs. 15 and 16). The shaft I13 is suitably journaled in'the housing, as generally indicated at I14, extends through the housing and has a can turret I16 rigidly secured to the extended end thereof.

The Geneva motion has six positions, as indicated in Fig. 15, and six slots I15 into which the drive pin I1! may extend. Since Geneva mo- .tions are well known in the art to which this invention applies, it is suiiicient to state that as the gear I83 rotates the pin I1I engages in one of the slots I15'and moves the Geneva element I12 through 60 degrees or through one station for each revolution of the gear I66. After completion of movement of the Geneva element I12 The shaft I61 .ing means as indicated .at'203.

to the next station, the .pin HI moves out .of the slot I and picks up the next slot on the next rotation. This intermittent motion .of the .Geneva element I12 is imparted .to the can turret I76 which, asshown in Fig. 12, has six can receivin pockets I77.

In Fig. 12, I have shown a section .of a can chute H8. The entering can chute may beaffixed to the face of the housing, as indicated :at I19, and may be extended above the turret so as to form a guard l8! for the cans while they are in the turret. As thecans leave the can turret they are guided or confined by a wall I82, preferably formed integral with the housing 151, and a part of the guard 18!. The cans are thus guided into a can discharge chute I83.

It will now be appreciated that the cans are fed into the can entrance chute 118 from a source of supply of cans,.enter the cups or pockets of the turret and are rotated to a can filling position or station which is indicated at 1.84. Continued operation of the machine brings a filled can into the next station, after which it is discharged from the can turret into the discharge chute 83.

The shaft I61 (Figs. 9 and 14) has a barrel cam l9| rigidly mounted thereon. This barrel cam is adapted to actuate all of the elements mountedin or carried by the housing 15! with the exception of the can turret. However, since the gear 366 is also mounted on the shaft H31, all of the operations may be accurately timed.

The barrel cam 191 has a cam groove I92 (Figs. 9 and '14) formed in one face thereof adapted to receive .a cam roller I93. The roller I93 is rotatable on a pin carried by a bell crank I94 (Fig. 15). One end of the bell crank is pivoted as indicated at M6, to a boss E91 preferablyintegral with the housing casting while theother end of the bell crank. I94 has anarm 199 pivoted thereto, as indicated at I953.

The arm M39 is pivotallysecured, as indicated at 213i, eccentrically with respectto a clamping collar or strap 26-2 which is provided-with clamp- .The clamping collar 202 asit isactuated isadapted to rotatably oscillate a splined element The splines .of

:the element 281% areadapted to mate with cor.-

responding splines forrned on a shaft 206 (Fig. '14). The splinedelement .1204 is provided with a shoulder .26! which faces upona'bearing element. The bearing element provides abearing support for the splined element 204 and theshaft "285.

A nut 265$ is threaded on the end of the splined element to hold it in position against longitudinal movement along the shaft. The bearing element 268 is mounted in the margins of a bore formed in the housing and the end thereof may be extended andthreaded to'receive a capzi'id.

The shaft 265 extends longitudinally of the housing and at its forward end extends through a bore 2! l in the margins of which abearing-ZH! for the shaft 20% is seated.

On the extended end of the shaft "26 an arm 2! 3 is rigidly mounted which carries .a cut-off kn fe 2E4 preferably extendingsubstantially at .right angles to the arm 2H5. .The. cut-o1f knife The roller 2|! is adapted to rotate on a pin 22l carried by a roller block .222. The shaft 206 has a shoulder 223 against which a washer 22.4 butts, the roller block 222 in turn seating upon the washer. The shaft 206 is provided with a second washer or spacer 226 and with a nut 227 threaded on the shaft which holds the assembly of parts above described in position on the shaft against the shoulder 223. The shape of the cam groove 216 is shown most clearly in'Fig. 9.

It will now be appreciated that as the barrel cam I9] is rotated, by reason of the actuation of the roller I193 by thecam groove I92 and the connecting parts therefrom to the splined element 28.4 as shown in 'Fig. 15 an oscillating motion is imparted to the shaft .206 which oscillates the knife 2:14 in the manner indicated in solid and dotted lines in Fig. 11. Simultaneously and in timed relation therewith, by reason of the fixed relationship of the cam grooves I92 and 2H3, a reciprocating motion of the shaft .286 and consequently the cut-off knife 2!!! is imparted which causes the cut-off knife to have anamplitude of reciprocating motion indicated insolid and dotted lines in Fig. 6.

Referring now to Figs. 10, 13 and 14,. the barrel cam l9l has a peripheral cam 23] (Fig. 13) which has a cam groove 232 formed therein. A roller 233 rotatably mounted on a pin 234 rides on the cam 23l and in the course .of rot tion of the barrel cam l9! drops in the-cam roove 232. The pin 234 is mounted on ,an arm 236 .rigid with a shaft 231. The other end of theshaft 23'! is provided with an arm 23B rigid therewith, upon the end of which a bell crank 23.9 is pivoted as indicated at 24!.

Referring nowin particular to Fig. 10, a bottom cut-off knife 2:42 is provided which has a cutting edge 243formedsubstantially on the arc of acircleand which is adaptedto cooperate with the cut-off knife 214 as will be presently described. The bottom-cut-off knife 242 is rigidly secured as indicatedat 244.to a slide 24.6 adapted to actuate the .knife. A bracket 24'! suitably 4 mounted ,on jtheface of the housing asshown in the drawings is provided with ways 2.48 adapted ,to receive the slide. The ways guide the slide into andoutof cutting relation with the cylinder of tuna in timed (relation .With the operation of other partspf the machine. The upper end of the bell crank 23B is pivoted to the slide, as indicated at 249, and aspring25l has one end 252 secured to the bracket 24'! and the other end, as indicated at .253, secured to ,the lower end of the bell crank.

It will ,now be appreciated thatas the barrel cam l9! rotates with the roller 233 011 the high surface of the cam .23l, the bell crank 23! is held in its downward position. In this position of the parts, the knife 242 is held in its. retracted inoperative position. As soon, however, as the .roller .233 drops into thegroove 23 2 of the cam 23] the spring 25.! through the bell crank 239 actuates the slide ,245 to move the knife242 into cutting relation with the cylinder of tuna. It Will be appreciated that .theaction of the knife 242 is instantaneous; that its amplitudeof move- ,ment is ,small; and that .it is ,quickly retracted from operative cutting relation with the cylinder of tuna. Since the two cut-off knivesare driven from the same barrel. cam, their movem ntsare accurately coordinated and synchronized in a 11 roller 25! rides when the barrel cam is rotated. The roller is freely rotatable on a pin carried by a lever 258. The lever 258 (Fig. 15) is pivoted on a boss 25% formed on the inner wall of the housing ll. The opposite end of the lever 25% is bifurcated as shown at 260 and adapted to actuate a plunger 26! (Fig. 17).

The plunger 25E slides in a sleeve 262 mounted in the margins of a bore formed in the housing I51. The operating connection between the lever 258 and the plunger Ziii includes a connector 263 which extends axially with respect to a spring 264 and is pinned; as indicated at 266, to the end of the plunger 26!. A pin and slot 261 connect the bifurcated end of the arm 258 with the connector 254. Suitable washers 288 or backing plates are provided for the spring 254.

.The extended end of the plunger 25! is provided with a substantially spherical groove 2H in which a ball shaped member 212 is seated. The ball is integral with a lever 2T3 pivoted at 2% to a boss 216 carried by a bracket presently described. The other end of the lever Tit is provided With a ball 2'5! which registers with a substantially spherical shapedgroove 218 formed in a plunger 219 which has a plunger face 281. The plunger 219 is carried by a bracket 282 secured to the face of the housing (see Fig. the bracket being provided with suitable ways 283 in which the plunger may slide.

From an examination of Fig. 10, it will be apparent that the face 28! of the plunger 2'53 is in alignment with a pocket or cup of thecan turret, the turret being shown in that view in dotted lines. After the can has been filled with a slice or section of tuna and the turret has been actuated to shift it through 60 degrees to the position shown at 284 in Fig. 12, continued rotation of the barrel cam l9l causes a pivotal rotation of the lever 253 about its pivot 25% (Fig. to move the plunger 2$I to the left as viewed in Fig. 17. This action causes the plunger face 28! to be inserted in the can totamp the tuna into the can. The spring 264 serves to dampen the action of the plunger since the spring 264 must be compressed when it meets any resistance. The tamping 12 section of tuna from the transfer collar to the can.

As shown in Fig. 2, the housing 15! may be rotated from the solid line to the dotted line position shown in that view by rotating the housing on the plate I48. This action exposes both outoff knives and the external actuating mechanism therefor and the tamper and its external actuating mechanism. Moreover, occasionally a damaged can becomes jamed in the can turret or a jam may occur in the flow and transfer of fish to the cans. Under any and all of these conditions the housing, as shown in Fig. 2, may be swung so as to expose all of these parts for adjustment, repair or cleaning.

Summarizing the operation, the loins of tuna or other material are placed on the feed belt it in the manner above described so as to secure a substantially continuous line of fish spread longitudinally over the feed belt in a rough approximation of uniform weight per unit of length of the feed belt as nearly as the operator can judge by eye. At the entrance end of the forming and molding chains, a wide mouth is presented for entrance of the loins of tuna by reason of the curvature of the chains and the shape of the shoe and belt 86 above the entrance to the forming tunnel. As the fish loins enter the space between the forming chains they are confined between the curved surfaces of the chain and the belts l6 and 86. When the tuna enters the space between the plates lfil and I02 it is rigidly confined both above and below. The forming chains gradually reduce the material in cross-sectional area from the entrance end in a direction toward the can filling station by reason of the adjustment of the three sets of fixed shoes above described. V

As the loins of tuna or other material progress through the tubular molding space or moving tunnel, they are gradually molded and shaped to approximately cylindrical form of uniform cross-section or are shaped in cross section to plunger engages the section of tuna inthe can 7 to insure that the section is adjacent the bottom of the can; it is not intended that it should exert any appreciable molding pressure on the section of tuna. While the plunger may be arranged to exert a molding pressure on the section of tuna after it is in the can, it is desirable that it not do so for the reason that a marginal space around the circumference of the section of tuna is de sirable. This marginal space is adapted for the reception of oil to protect the section of tuna against scorching during retorting.

Carried by the housing ii l is a cut on or transfer collar 286. As shown most clearly in Fig. 6, the transfer collar 2% lies between the discharge throat Hi6 and the can turret H6. The transfer collar 286 has an axial opening which is in alignment with the discharge throat E35 and with the can pocket I? of the can turret which is in its filling position. The transfer collar 28% is spaced from the discharge throat we, as indicated at 281, to provide a space for the reception of the cut-off knives.

The transfer collar 285 is provided with a longitudinally extending slot 283 through which the arm of the cut-off knife may pass in moving longitudinally of the transfer collar from the solid line to the dotted line. position shown in Fig. 6 for the purpose of transferring a cut off conform substantially to the cross-sectional shape of the can should other than a round can be employed. At the same time, as previously mentioned, the forming chains are given a wave or serpentine motion which bends and flexes the confined mass of fish. This bending or flexing which is continuously reversed causesalternate stretching and compressing of the mass on either side of the central axis of the roll of tuna. This.

tions of the roll, thus bringing about substantial uniform weight over short increments of the length of the roll of tuna.

Whatever the action which occurs within the forming and molding tunnel may be, it would appear that the bending and flexing of the cylinder of tuna combined with the gradual decrease in the cross-sectional area of the tunnel aids in reducing the loins of tuna from the entrance end of the forming and molding tunnel to a structure which is molded into a substantially solid cylinder of substantially' uniform eight-per unit offlength and of a cross-sectional shape correspondingto but slightly smaller than the shape of the can or othercontainer. The substantially cylindrical roll of tuna is substantially continuously moved through the moldingspace and into thedischarge throat from which it extends as indicated in Fig. 2.

Theaction'of the cut-off knivesand the tamper will be more clear from'anexamination of Figs. 18to 23 inclusive. In Fig. 1-8 "both knives 2 l4 and 242 are shown in their retracted position with the cylinder of tuna being continuously fed through the discharge throatinto the transfer collar 286. The next step in the movement of the knives is shown in Fig. 19. In this view 'theicuteoif knife 2 has been projected longitudinally to a position in alignment with the-slot 28! between the discharge throat Brand the transfer collar286. During this interval the lower cut-ofi knife 242 is inserted in the slot :281 and cuts part way throughlthe material. It will be :notedeirom this viewth'at the knives-2H and 242 lie in the same vertical plane and that .the lower zcut-off knife cuts thematerial prior to 'the-cut-off knife 2M entering into cutting relation with the material.

Referring now "to *Fig. 20, the lower cut oif knife 242 is being retracted as the upper *cuto'ifknife 'ZI Z cutsthrough the material to meet the "out formed by the 'lower out-off knife 2 12. In this'manner a section of the material is completely severed fromthe cylindrical roll without the knives engaging-each other which would be likely to damage'thecuttingedges since they are in verticalalignmentwitheach other. The tuna, as 'willbe'appareht, forms a bridge between the discharge throatandthe transfer-collar and the cut-off knives enter the gapbetween these ele ments to form a clean cut'of'the material into a section of substantially thecorrect weight re ,quired to beplacedinthe can. The cuttin action of the cut-01f knives is rapid and substantially instantaneous'so that although the roll of material is continuously fed and the cut-off knives during their cutting operation move in a vertical plane, the interruption of the advance of the roll of tuna is "onlyinstantaneous and'this slight pause is to a large extent taken up in the give of the material.

Referring now to Fig. '21, the lower cut-off knifezflihasbeen retracted and the upper cutoff knife 2 l4 moves through the slot 238 to push the cut-off section into the loan as illustrated in that View. During themovement of the knife Z-Min transferring the cut-off section from the transfer .collar into the can, the movement of the combined cut-off and transfer knife 2M is faster than the advance of the cylinder of tuna so that thecut-oft section is separated from the cylinder-of tuna and deposited in thecan without interfering with the advancing cylinder of tuna.

In Fig. .22 .I havetshown the cut-off section of tuna depositedin the can and .the advancing cylinder-of tuna=movinginto the transfer collar in a position to be-cut oil upon the .next actuation of the cut-off knives.

In Fig. 23 "the cuteoff knives have been retracted tothe position shown in Fig. 18, a new empty-can is-presented in the fillin position by rotation of the can turret and thefilled can'o'f tuna has been rotated to the nextstation prior to being-deposited in the discharge chute. In this :position the tamper or plunger tie is actuated to insure that the section of tuna lies ad- Tit4 jacent 'the bottomof the can. As previously mentione'd, the tamper exerts nomolding pressure on the tuna andisprimarily employed to insure' that the section of tuna will be adjacent the bottom of the can and not protrude'theretrom.

In my above mentioned application, 1 have shown a means of varying the speed of move ment of the cut-ofi'knifeto vary-the weightof the sections of "material cut oil "from thecylindrical roll. In the presentapplication the speed of actuation of thecut-ofi knives'is maintained constant except that the speed may be changed by changing the sprockets as above mentioned. In the machineoi this application as previously described, variations in weight of the sections cut off and deposited in the cans is made bywotating the hand wheel 31 which varies the speed of all operations except those driven by the sprocket Ml (Fig. 3).

Thus the machine ofmy inventionrnay be employed to form a solid pack of tuna and mold whole loins into a roller other shape conforming substantially to the shape of the container in which it is to be packed; out off sections of'the material successively; and transfer the cut off sections 'successivelyto cans presented at the can filling station, the weight of the cut-off sections being accurately controlled by adjusting the hand wheel 3| independently of .the rateof actuation of the cut-.oii'knives.

While I have shown and described'the preferred machine .of my invention, it willbe apparent that various changes .and modifications may be made therein, particularly in the .fform and relation of parts Without departing from the spirit of my invention as set forth inthe appended claims.

I claim:

1. A machine for packing a substantially constant weight of material into each ofsuccessive containers presenteilto a'filling position comprising, in combination, means for'forming'the material into an elongatedstructure .of substantially the cross-sectional shape of that of the container, meansfor moving the structure towar'dthe .container filling position, .a pair .of cut-off knives operable in diiierent-directions to sever a section of the structure, .meansfor operating said knives,.means formoving one ofsaid knivesfrom its severing position toward the.container to ,deposit .the severed section in the container, and means for tampin the severed section after it is inthe container.

2. A machine for packing a .substantiallyconstant weight of material into' each of thesuccessive containers presented to a filling position comprising, in combination, means for forming the material-into anelongated structure of substantially the cross sectional shape oflthat of'the container, means for moving the structure toward the container -fillin position, a pair 'of cut-off knives .operable :in different directions to severa sectioniof the structure, means foroperating said knives, means for moving one of saidknives from its severing rpositionetoward the .containerto deposit the severed section in the container, a plunger, and means for a moving the plunger into the container-into engagementwith the section.

,3. .A..machine ,forpacking a substantially-iconstant weight ormaterialintoteach of successive containers presented to a filling position comprising, in combination, means for forming the material into an elongatedstructure ofsubstan- .tially the cross sectional shape .of that of the container, means for moving the structure toward the container filling position, a pair of cutoff knives operable in different directions to sever a section of the structure, means for operating said knives, means for moving one of said knives from its severing position toward the container to deposit the severed section in the container, a container turret, means for rotating said turret, a plunger, and means for moving the plunger into the container into engagement with the section after the container has been rotated by the turret from its filling position.

4. A machine for packing a substantially constant weight of material into each of successive containers presented to a filling position comprising, in combination, means for forming the material into an elongated structure of substantially the cross-sectional shape of that of the container, means for moving the structure toward the container filling position, a pair of cut-off knives operable in diiferent directions to sever a section of the structure, means for operating said knives, and means for varying the speed of .movement of the structure to vary the weight of the severed sections.

5. A machine for packing a substantially constant weight of material into each of successive containers comprising, in combination, a feed belt, a pair of molding chains adapted to receive the material carried by the feed belt, a pair of rigid non-yielding plates arranged in spaced relation between which the molding chains pass to form a tunnel for the reception of the material 7 to be molded, and means for driving said feed belt and molding chains at substantially the same lineal speed. 7

6. A machine for packing a substantially constant weight of material into each of successive containers comprising, in combination, a feed belt, a pair of molding chains adapted to receive the material carried by the feed belt, a pair of plates arranged in spaced relation between which the molding chains pass to form a tunnel for the reception of the material to be molded, means for driving said feed belt and molding chains at substantially the same lineal speed, and means for actuating said molding chains between said plates in a direction transverse to the direction in which said molding chains are driven.

'7. A machine for packing a substantially constant weight of material into each of successive containers comprising, in combination, a feed belt, a pair of molding chains adapted to receive the material carried by the feed belt, a pair of plates arranged in spaced relation between which the molding chains pass to form a tunnel for the reception of the material to be molded, means for driving said feed belt and molding chains at substantially the same lineal speed, and means for varying the speed at which said feed belt and molding chains are driven.

8. A machine for packing a substantially constant weight of material into each of successive containers comprising, in combination, a feed belt, a pair of molding chains having an entrance end adapted to receive the material carried by the feed belt, a pair of fixed plates arranged in spaced relation between which the molding chains pass to form a tunnel for the reception of the material to be molded, means for driving said feed belt and molding chains at substantially the same lineal speed, and a rotating member above the molding chains adjacent the entrance end thereof.

'9. A machine for packing a substantially constant weight of material into each of successive containers comprising, in combination, a feed '16 V belt, a pair of molding chains having an entrance end adapted to receive the material carried by the feed belt, a pair of plates arranged in spaced relation between which the molding chains pass to form a tunnel for the reception of the material to be molded, means for driving said feed belt and molding chains at substantially the same lineal speed, a shiftable rotating member above the molding chains adjacent the entrance end thereof and means for varying the speed at which said feed belt, molding chains and rotating member are driven.

10. A machine for packing a substantially constant weight of material into each of successive containers presented to a filling position comprising, in combination, means including a pair of opposed forming chains for moving the material toward a container filling position while gradually forming the material into an elongated structure of a cross-sectional shape substantially conforming to that of the container, a discharge throat between the discharge ends of said forming chains and said container filling position into which said structure passes from the forming chains, a transfer collar spaced from the throat between the throat and the filling position, and means for cutting off sections of said structure and transferring them successively to containers presented in the filling position.

11. A machine for packing a substantially constant weight of material into each of successive containers presented to a filling position comprising, in combination, means including a pair of opposed forming chains for moving the material toward a container filling position while gradually forming the material into an elongated structure of a cross-sectional shape substantially conforming to that of the container, a discharge throat between the discharge ends of said forming chains and said container filling position into which said structure passes from the forming chains, a transfer collar spaced from the throat between the throat and the filling position, means comprising a pair of cooperating knives for cutting off sections of said structure, and means comprising one of said knives for transferring the cut-off sections successively to containers presented in the filling position.

12. A machine for packing a substantially constant weight of material into each of successive containers presented to a filling position comprising, in'combination, means including a pair of opposed forming chains for moving the material toward a container filling position while gradually forming the material into an elongated structure of a cross-sectional shape substantially conforming to that of the container, a discharge throat between the discharge ends of said forming chains and said container filling position into which said structure passes from the forming chains, a slotted transfer collar spaced from the throat between the throat and the filling position, means comprising a pair of cooperating knives for cutting off sections of said structure, means comprising one of said knives movable through the slot in the collar for transferring cut-oif sections successively to concomprising a main frame, a pair of molding chains carried by said main frame, means including a motor for driving said molding chains, a postsupported from said main frame, a housing supported by said post, a pair of cut-oil? knives mounted externally of said housing, means within the housing andextending therethrough for actuating said cut-off knives, and means including elements extending .through the post for driving said actuating means from said motor, said housing being adapted to swing on said post as an axis to expose said cut-off knives for adjustment and repair.

14. A machine for packing a substantially constant weight of material into each of succes sive "containers presented to a filling position comprising a main frame, a pair of molding chains carried by said main frame, means including a motor for driving said molding chains, a post supported from said main frame, a housing supported by said post, a pair of cut-ofi knives, a container turret and a plunger mounted externally of said housing, a slotted transfer collar mounted on the housing adjacent said cut-off knives, means within the housing and extending therethrough for actuating said cuton knives, container turret and plunger, and means including elements extending through the post for driving said actuating means from said motor, said housing being adapted to swing on said post as an axis to expose said cut-off knives, container turret, plunger and collar for adjustment and repair.

15. A machine for packing a substantially constant weight of material in each of a series of containers comprising, in combination, a conveyor upon which the material .is placed, means forming with the conveyor an enclosure for the product, said means comprising a pair of members having molding elements the molding surfaces of which face each other and a pair of plates mounted in spaced relation with the molding elements between them, means for driving said members continuously with the molding surfaces exerting amolding action on the product to mold it into a cross-sectional shape similar to but slightly smaller than the open end of the container in which the material is to be packed, means for cutting off predetermined lengths of the product while the product is substantially continuously advanced, means for transferring the cut-off lengths in succession to the series of containers, adjustable shoes engaging said members, and means including movable shoes for imparting a wave-like motion to said members as the molding elements advance toward the cutting oiT position.

16. In. a machine for the purpose described, a pair of material molding chains each comprising a multiplicity of molding elements, each of said molding elements having a concave material molding surface, pivot links connecting adjacent molding elements, said molding chains being arranged so that the molding surfaces of said molding elements face each other, means for driving said molding chains at substantially the same lineal speed, and means for flexing said chains in a direction transversely to the direction in which they are driven.

17. A machine for molding products comprising, in combination, pair of material molding chains each comprising a multiplicity of molding elements, each of said molding elements having amolding surface which is a partial cylinder with the molding chains being arranged so that the 18 molding surfaces of one chain face the molding surfaces of the other chain, the cylindrical molding surface of each molding element terminating at one end in a convexly curved edge and at its other end in a concavely curved edge and with the convexly and concavely curved edges of adjacent molding elements interfitting with each other so that when the molding elements of a chain are assembled with respect to each other an elongated partial cylinder is formed with smooth joints between adjacent molding elements,and meansfor driving said molding chains.

18. A machine for packing a substantially-constant desired weight of material in each of a series of containers comprising, in combination, molding means forming atunnelhaving walls at least some of which are movable in a direction such as to feed the material in an unbroken flow, driving elements .for advancing the molding means so that the material is fed toward a cut-off position, said molding means exerting pressure on the material in a direction transverse to the direction in which the material is red to mold the material into a substantially homogeneous structure of a desired cross-sectional shape, a pair of cut-01f devices beyond the end of the tunnel, means for moving the cutoff devices relative to each other and in a direction substantially normal to the direction in which the material is fed to sever a section of the material, and means for operating said cut-off devices in synchronism with the speed of operation of said driving elements.

19. A machine in accordance with claim 18 in which means are provided for varying the crosssectional area of the tunnel.

20. A machine in accordance with claim 18 in which the tunnel is formed by two stationary walls and two movable walls oppositely disposed with respect to each other.

21. A machine in accordance with claim 18 in which the tunnel is formed by two stationary Walls and two movable Walls oppositely disposed with respect to-each other with the movable walls moving between and being guided by thestationary walls.

.22. A machine in accordance with claim 20 in which the speed of operation of the driving elements for the molding means may be varied with relation to the speed of operation of the cut-off devices to vary the thickness of the section of material cut off.

23. A machine for packing a substantially constant desired weight of material in each of a series of containers comprising, in combination, molding means forming a tunnel having Walls at least some of which are movable in a direction such as to feed the material in an unbroken ilow, driving elements for advancing the molding means so that the material is fed toward a cutoff position, said molding means exerting pressure on the material in a direction transverse to the direction in which the material is fed to mold the material into a substantially homogeneous structure of a desired cross-sectional shape, a pair of cut-off knives at the cut-off position, means for moving the cut-off knives toward each other and in a direction substantially normal to the direction in which the material is fed. to sever a section of the material, means for operating said cut-off knives in synchronism with the speed of operation of said driving elements, means for moving each of a series of containers into a filling position in synchronism with the operation of said cut-off knives, and means for moving one ofsaidknives from itssevering position toward the container to deposit the severed section in the container.

24, A machine for packing a substantially constant desired weight of material in each of a series of containers, comprising, in combination, molding means forming a tunnel having walls at least some of which are movable in a direction such as to feed the material in an unbroken flow, driving elements for advancing the molding means so that the materialis fed toward a cut-off position, said molding means exerting pressure on the material in a direction transverse to the direction in which the material is fed to mold the material into a substantiallyhomogeneous structure of a desired cross-sectional shape, a pair of cut-off knives at the cut-off position, means for moving the cut-ofi knives toward each other and in a direction substantially normal to the direction in which the material is fed to sever a section of the material, means for operating said cut-off knives in synchronism with the speed of operation of said driving elements, means for moving each of a series of containers into a filling position in synchronism with the operation of said cut-off knives, means for moving one of said knives from its severing position toward the container to deposit the severed section in the container, a plunger, and means for operating said plunger in synchronism with the operation of said cut-off knives to move the plunger into the container into engagement with the severed section after the severed section has been deposited therein.

25. A machine in accordance with claim 24 in which the tunnel is formed by two stationary walls and two movable walls oppositely disposed with respect to each other with the movable walls moving between and being guided by the stationary walls.

26. A machine in accordance with claim 24 in which the speed of operation of the driving elements may be varied with relation to the speed of operation of the cut-01f knives to vary the thickness of the section of material cut off.

27. A machine for packing a substantially constant desired weight of tuna fish in each of a series of containers comprising, in combination, molding means forming a tunnel having walls at least some of which are movable in a direction such as to feed the fish, said molding means being constructed and arranged so as to feed loins of tuna in over-lapping relation in a perfectly unbroken flow, driving elements for advancing the molding means so that the loins of tuna are fed toward a cut-off position, said molding exerting pressure on the loins of tuna in a direction transverse to the direction in which the loins are fed to mold the overlapping loins into a substantially homogeneous structure of a desired cross-sectional shape, cutoff means adjacent the cut-off position for cutting ofi' successive slices of the molded tuna, said cut-off means being movable on its cutting stroke in a direction substantially normal to the direction in which the tuna being molded 'is fed, driving elements for actuating the cut-off means, the driving elements for the molding means and the driving elements for the cut-0.1T means being driven in a relationship to each other such that the thickness of the slice cut off may be retained normally at a constant, and means for varying the speed of operation of the driving elements for the molding means with relation to the speed of operation of the driving elements for the cut- 20 off means to vary the thickness of the slice cut off.

28. A machine for molding products comprising, in combination, a pair of material molding chains each comprising a multiplicity of molding elements having molding surfaces which face each other, a discharge throat, means for driving said molding chains to mold the material and feed it toward the discharge throat, the distance across said discharge throat being greater than the distance between th facing molding surfaces adjacent said discharge throat whereby the material is moved by the molding chains into the discharge throat without extruding the material.

29. A machine in accordance with claim 28 in which the molding surface of each molding chains each comprising a multiplicity of molding elements having molding surfaces which face each other, a discharge throat, a pair of sprockets adjacent the discharge throat around which the chains pass, said discharge throat having two discharge chutes extending inward to substantially meet the chains at the points where the chains take a circular path around the sprockets,

the distance across said discharge throat being greater than the distance between facing molding surfaces adjacent said discharge throat whereby the transition of the material from the molding chains into the discharge throat is accomplished smoothly and without extruding the material.

32. A machine in accordance with claim 31 in which the molding surface of each molding element is a partial cylinder.

33. A machine in accordance with claim 31 in which the molding chains operate between andare guided by two oppositely disposed rigid plates.

34. A machine for packing a substantially constant weight of material into each of successive containers presented in a filling position comprising, in combination, means for forming the material into an elongated structure of a predetermined desired shape, means for moving the structure toward the container filling position while it is being formed, a pair of cut-off devices located adjacent the container filling position, and means for moving the cut-off devices relative to each other in a direction substantially normal to the direction in which the structure is fed to sever a section of the structure, said means being independent of said structure moving means but being operated in synchronism therewith.

EBEN H. CARRUTHERS.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,004,303 Rost Sept. 26, 1911 1,810,740 Vcgt June 16, 1931 2,006,376 Vogt July 2, 1935 2,542,133 Gorby Feb. 20, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 413,602 Germany May 12, 1925 512,545 Great Britain Sept. 19, 1939 

